The Los Angeles Sparks discovered the correct of rhythm previous to the quick WNBA All-Star break, and they are going to be trying to preserve that once they go to the Washington Mystics on Tuesday.
It will likely be a rematch of the latest sport for every crew. The Sparks blew out visiting Washington 99-80 final Tuesday within the ultimate sport for the groups earlier than the hiatus. Three Los Angeles gamers reached the 20-point mark within the sport, led by Dearica Hamby’s 26.
“I feel we’re beginning to determine it out, and being wholesome helps,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts mentioned.
Mystics coach Sydney Johnson mentioned he noticed room for enchancment from his membership.
“They uncovered just a little little bit of our weaknesses,” Johnson mentioned. “There are some issues I might help our gamers with to assist us play higher.”
Defensive breakdowns within the first assembly will must be addressed, Johnson mentioned. The Mystics (11-11) will intention to get again on monitor after their three-game profitable streak was snapped in Los Angeles.
“They’re an awesome frontcourt, versatile,” mentioned forward-center Shakira Austin, who led Washington with 16 factors in opposition to the Sparks. “They have been just a little extra bodily. We have now to cease being the much less bodily crew.”
The Sparks (8-14) are bracing for a special method from the Mystics.
“They are going to come at us in a different way,” mentioned Kelsey Plum, who leads the Sparks in scoring with 20.1 factors per sport. “We all know that, so simply be ready for that.”
The Sparks are nonetheless adjusting underneath Roberts. She is in her first season on the Los Angeles bench after being employed to exchange the fired Curt Miller.
“It is simply time collectively and within the system and it takes a minute,” Roberts mentioned. “We simply bought to maintain our foot on the fuel as a bunch.”
A key contributor for Los Angeles has been Julie Allemand, who dished out 10 assists final week in opposition to Washington. The Sparks have been plus-22 with Allemand on the court docket, despite the fact that she scored solely three factors in 32 minutes.
“That is laborious to do,” Roberts mentioned of the plus-minus ratio. “Her worth can’t be unspoken.”
Brittney Sykes is Washington’s prime scorer at 17.1 factors per sport, and she or he was added as an harm alternative for the All-Star Sport. Rookie teammates Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen additionally represented the Mystics on the All-Star Sport.
“They’re checking a variety of packing containers,” Johnson mentioned of his crew. “They’re working. They’re getting higher. There’s humility.”
Mystics guard Sug Sutton mentioned the primary half of the season was a stretch of attending to know one another.
“We nonetheless have one other 22 video games,” Sutton mentioned. “I feel we have been doing good, holding one another accountable.”
–Area Stage Media
